Causes and treatment of hot flashes during menopause

What are hot flashes?

A hot flash is a sudden, intense feeling of heat in the upper body, lasting from thirty seconds to a few minutes. Hot flashes occur during menopause Due to the decline in estrogen and the change in hormone levels, which makes the hypothalamus in the brain think that the body temperature has risen, as this hormonal imbalance affects the natural body temperature. Therefore, the brain instructs the sweat glands to work to cool the body. It is a symptom of perimenopause and menopause, which affects more than 80% of women. A hot flash may be accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

• Excessive sweating.
• Night sweats if flashes occur during sleep.
• Skin redness.
• Headache.
• Dizziness.
• Heart palpitations.
• Anxiety.
• Chills.

Hot flashes and The Thyroid

Hyperthyroidism and increased production of thyroid hormone also cause hot flashes, as increased activity of the thyroid affects the functioning of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland, which leads to hot flashes and sweating.

When do hot flashes end?

Studies have shown that hot flashes begin in the premenopausal stage and last after menopause for a period of four or five years. It has also been shown that it lasts longer if it starts early in a woman's life.

Treatment

 without needing treatment. But if these flashes recur several times to the point that they disrupt your daily activities, you can resort to available treatment options, which include:

• Talk to your doctor about the possibility of prescribing hormone replacement therapy or bioidentical hormones.
• Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Exercise regularly, take precautions so that exercise does not increase the severity of flashes, and work out in a cool place while wearing light clothing.
• Maintain a healthy weight and lose any excess weight, as obesity increases the severity of flashes.
• Avoid spicy foods.
• Reduce caffeine consumption.
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• Drink enough water, and drink cold, refreshing drinks.
• Practice yoga and meditation.
• Resort to cognitive behavioral therapy if symptoms of stress and anxiety increase.
• Practice deep breathing.
• Take vitamin E supplements.
• Acupuncture.
• Add ground flax seeds to foods.
• Eat foods rich in estrogen, known as phytoestrogens.
• Evening primrose oil supplements.
• Eat black cohosh.

Conclusion

Most women experience hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. Some women only experience occasional hot flashes that don't interfere with daily life, but for others, they can be very uncomfortable.

Home remedies can be used to help with menopausal symptoms, and in severe cases, they can use medications prescribed by a specialist, including hormonal treatments.

It is recommended to talk to your doctor about the best and safest ways to relieve symptoms, as these methods can vary from one woman to another.